‘Although robust procedures for emergency situations are in place at St Paul’s and today’s response bore that out, it does not lessen the shock we feel as a close community, especially for those of us who witnessed and responded to this incident. We hold also in our thoughts those visitors within the Cathedral at the time.

‘We think and pray especially at this time for the woman who died, and for all those who were close to her and who loved and cared for her.’

The cathedral will remain closed for the rest of the day and the Annual National Service for Seafarers at 5pm has been cancelled.

It will open as normal tomorrow, beginning with morning prayer at 7.30am.